By Papri Das

In today's fast-paced world filled with increasing demands and responsibilities, it's important to manage your stress level. Some people cope with stress by overeating or eating unhealthy food, smoking, drinking and other activities that raise the risk for high blood pressure, thereby becoming counter productive. On the other hand, there are many who prefer a quick weekend getaway or lounging back to read their favourite book.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Indiantelevision.com's Exec Life caught up with several executives to find out how they manage stress, keep high blood pressure at bay, and unwind their otherwise knotted lives.

"Television is as stressful as any other profession really," declared Reliance Broadcast Network CEO Tarun Katial in an earlier interview with Exec Lifestyle when we asked him for his formula for staying stress free. "And what keeps me going through the day is that I take a very detached attitude towards life in general."

He further reveals, "I did a course in Vipassana, an ancient form of meditation a few years ago which sort of transformed my life in very many ways. Now, I not only practice it everyday but recommend it to many people within the television industry."

Inner peace isn?t the only thing executives vie for; after all a healthy mind resides within a healthy body. Thus Madison World executive director Lara Balsara prefers the ancient art of yoga to keep both her mind and body fit. ?It started with me attending a Iyengar yoga class in the colony I lived in before marriage. I found myself feeling good every time I practiced and so I started attending more regularly,? says the young executive, confessing that she hasn?t been as regular as she used to be. ?It helps you become flexible and improves your strength, apart from  keeping your blood pressure in check.?

Contrary to popular belief, relaxation is not just about meditating or doing something peaceful. Former HBO managing director Monica Tata believes in living life on the edge. A self-acclaimed adrenalin junkie, Tata?s idea of relaxation is to go on roller coaster rides.

?Bungee jumping, roller coaster rides, river rafting and paragliding are some of the things I like doing. I do ride a bike. My friends and I love going for motorcycle rides from Manali to Ladakh,? she says.

While quenching her adrenalin rush does it for Tata, Insync channel CEO Ratish Tagde harbours a passion for music. He is also an acclaimed violinist and claims music to be everything in his life. He says, ?It is music that is driving me, be it setting up the channel or any other work. If and when I get time, I am with my violin. Apart from that, I spend time with my family.?

On an average day Leo Burnett India CCO Rajdeepak Das manages his stress levels with his caffeine fix. ?I hang around a lot at coffee shops. It not only caters to my love for coffee, I also get to talk to  a number of strangers and that lifts up my mood,? says the ad man. But there are days when even coffee can?t salvage him. ?On my worst days, when nothing else works I turn to my wife. A good hearty talk with her calms me down and I quickly get over my stress and blues.?

Film critic and author Anupama Chopra loves to spend time with her children when she is not writing or reviewing films. Apart from that, she is also a self-confessed foodie. ?I love food and I love to eat. I love to go out and try different kinds of food though I am a vegetarian. I love Thai and Japanese food, as well as some Indian food,? she says.

Like Chopra, Sideways co-founder Abhijit Avasthi believes that kids are the best stress busters. ?They can be annoying as hell, no doubt about that, but they can de-stress you in 10 seconds,? jokes Avasthi, who is a doting father of two boys. While he asserts that nothing matches the time he spends with his boys, Avasthi also enjoys going on walks amidst greenery to unwind and relax.

Motorsport, spoiling oneself in a luxurious spa with a herbal massage, having a drink with close buddies or spending quality time with kids and family and of course yoga --  methods of de-stressing are countless. What matters is being aware of your increasing stress and blood pressure levels with routine check ups, and countering them with a healthy lifestyle.

On that note, Exec Life wishes you a  stress free weekend!

By Papri Das

If you?ve been following the latest season of Indian Idol Junior on Sony TV, then you must be familiar with the tiny tots who have been winning hearts across the nation with their power packed singing. While these little singers have been getting vocal training to give their pro-like performance on stage, there?s also another training listed in their daily schedule. The contestants are undergoing a four week-long fitness program conducted by none other than celebrity fitness trainer Nawaz Modi Singhania!

Founder of Body Art fitness studio with over twenty years of experience in training celebrities in fitness and lifestyle, Singhania is a familiar name amongst the fitness fanatics in Mumbai. She not only excels at training one?s body, but helps one deal with stress related problems to bring out the best in them. With knowledge, experience and technique, there couldn?t have been a better lifestyle coach for the junior idols to groom their body and mind.

Exec Lifestyle caught up with Singhania on one of her sessions with the Indian Idol Junior constestans Niharika, Ranita, Vaishnav, Nithyashree, Nahid, Ananya and Moti to find out how her specially tailored fitness program for the kids, help them become a better performer on stage and in life.

Here?s an excerpt:

How important is it for the contestants to maintain their bodily and mental fitness?

It is really important that you stay fit and healthy so you can cope with the rigorous training and the pressure of competition. For that the fitness program, which I have specially tailored for the kids, and proper nutrition is essential. Ultimately their success depends upon them. I also give them certificates from The Body Art studio, which explains the reason behind them doing this program, what they have covered as well as how it enriches their health and their capacity as an artist. This holds true in other realms in life as well. The competition will end but it's important that these kids continue with their fitness sessions and nutrition to make the most of their lives.

What does the four week program you have tailored for the kids cover?

I work with them three times a week. The main aim of the program is to work on their voice, so the content also includes exercises for the throat, which makes the voice more melodious. A major chunk of the program deals with increasing the lung power through cardiovascular activities, which helps in increasing the diaphragm width and the mobility and flexibility of the rib.

Another important aspect that I look after is their body posture. It?s important that they have a good body posture on stage as it adds to their confidence and stage presence. Bad posture also limits one?s lung capacity, and thereby affecting their singing quality. So workouts, which are aimed at enhancing their body posture is also covered within this program. We also teach them a little bit of yoga, which can be a combination of asanas, pranayams and kriyas. It helps them focus and deal with stress better.

Is their diet also covered within the program?

After going through the data available to me on each one of them I have given them information on nutrition as well. I have also asked the production team to make changes in their daily food intake based on that. There are fruits and vegetables, which are good for immunity and their voice, and foods that increases their stamina. It?s important that they stay hydrated all the time.

To make sure that their voice is not damaged or hoarse, there are certain citrus and sour fruits, which need to be avoided. Additionally, too much sugar can cause damage to the vocal chords. Certain lactogenic foods need to be avoided, as they increase the chances of mucous in the glands. They are high on protein but not good for singers, especially the ones susceptible to cold.

How does this fitness program benefit the contestants?

The fitness program for the contestants has been made keeping in mind their Peak Performance Level (PPL). PPL in fitness terminology is the level at which you perform your best. If you are above your PPL, you are very high strung and worked up. You lose appetite and don?t get enough sleep, you probably even forget going to the toilet. All these things add to your mental frame and the way you perform on the stage eventually. You may become too nervous, you may forget lines or even freeze on stage. So these are the ill effects of exceeding the PPL level.

On the other hand if you don't meet your PPL, you may remain an under achiever. That means you are not too bothered, you haven?t prepared well enough and maybe aren?t even ready to face the stage. Therefore it is very important to be at that mid-level so that you can draw the best out of yourself, and you are fully in charge of yourself.  The fitness program I have created for them helps them reach that PPL.

The contestants are under constant pressure from being eliminated and rigorous voice training. How do you ensure that their fitness sessions with you don't add to the stress?

I consciously refused the organisers request for a five days session, as it's important to take those breaks in between to relax your muscles. Overtraining is a common mistake.

A few days before I was asked by the organisers if I can do a slightly shorter session with the kids, because they have been very tired and exhausted lately with late night shoots. So I switched the whole thing around. Instead of doing what I normally do with them, which is more body training like cardio vascular exercises, I focused on more stress management programs. There are various ways of achieving that. Things like visualisation, exercises that help in releasing stress on particular parts of the body, exercises that help endorphin release, etc are some of the methods. 

Last week, Ranita Banerjee, the youngest of the lot, broke her arm. So I strictly advised her to refrain from the normal exercises we do. I rehashed her exercise schedule with activities, which will not hurt her or stress her arm. Instead I added physiotherapeutic exercises that will help her recover sooner.

Have you become attached with the kids?

Working with these kids has been one of my best experiences because their energy is so great. It?s pure and unadulterated. And this is coming from someone who has trained celebs for years. One might think they are hard to manage but they are actually very easy. They lighten up the sessions with their jokes and masti, but as soon as we start, they are immediately focused. They are all very goal oriented and therefore serious with what they have at hand. I have a nine year old daughter myself, same age as the youngest contestant. Not getting attached to them would be the stranger thing.

By Papri Das

All that glitters is most definitely gold and giving credence to this was the first day of India International Jewellery Week, which saw the launch of Tanishq?s latest gold collection - The Divyam.

The Divyam was a world removed from the usual modern aesthetics that our eyes are trained to see in fashion shows. Floral garlands decorated the sidewalks of the runway, while temple bells and powerful spiritual chants replaced the ?oh-so-familiar? peppy background music that models catwalk on. The fragrance of the flowers too added to the mystic and holy ambience of the runway.

With the elegant and effervescent Juhi Chawla?s association with the brand, anticipation was already high surrounding Tanishq?s latest launch. From follower-heavy lifestyle and fashion bloggers to eminent industry honchos and stylists, the house was packed with a buzzing audience. The opening semi-classical dance was quick to grab attention, soon followed by models who effortlessly sashayed in displaying the glowing yellow metal around them. Carved out of 22 carat gold, The Divyam is inspired by the heritage surrounding Indian temples, at the same time keeping it lightweight for more contemporary patrons.

Titan jewellery division, associate vice president of design Revathi Kant said, ?When you talk of heritage, temples offer a great deal of inspiration for us designers. First is the architecture, then the figurines, and of course myths and stories that are associated with temples make it a treasure trove for inspirations. What we have tried to do is take all of that along with their intricacies and represent it through the designs in the jewellery collection, and create a product, which is hand crafted for today?s modern woman.?

Kant further added that their target patron for The Divyam collection is the contemporary woman who prefers lighter jewellery, and yet loves a touch of ethnicity and gold on her. ?It?s an ethno-contemporary collection. They are more of statement pieces. The jewellery can go with sarees, or even with a maxi dress or a black cocktail gown. It has been designed keeping the modern Indian woman in mind, who is not necessarily donning a saree all the time,? said the designer.

The collection features different gold techniques like nakashi work, laser cut stamps and cut work. Apart from the distinct lockets with straight edges, what was noteworthy was the use of ?jhumkas? in the collection. Kant explained that it was a conscious decision keeping in mind the current consumer trends.

?Jhumkas are very much in focus this season. Not just that, ear-wear are selling pretty well. There are beautiful ear cups and there is a lot of adornment around ears, which can be experimented with. Jhumkas add that perfect touch of tradition with otherwise sharper and edgier neck pieces,? Kant added.

The show was divided into three major segments, with classical dancers playing perfect interludes with their dance moves. Their final act tactfully built up the atmosphere for the show-stopper to hit the stage. As Chawla glided in elegantly, showcasing the many necklaces of various lengths with the masterfully made stone studded gold choker at the center of all attention, the crowd couldn't help but applaud.

After the show was over, the bubbly actress told this website that when it comes to jewellery, she was more inclined towards the traditional. ?I love traditional jewellery so needless to say that I prefer more intricate designs. I like polki and jadau jewellery,? she said.

When asked to pick her favourite from the numerous necklaces she was adorning, Chawla initially finds herself in a bind, unable to pick one but finally decides on the gorgeous polki choker. ?I really like what I am wearing. Each one of them is stunning. My favourite would be the choker but I really can?t pick,? she says. ?I love them so much that I want to take all of them home, until they said they will come running with the bills,? she signs off with a wink.

By Papri Das

Our memories of ?friendship? mostly takes us back to our school and college days, when we could share a carefree laugh, confide our secrets, or fight and make up quite easily with friends. That concept of friendship most definitely fades away as we grow older and enter the mad race to success. Gradually the endearing term ?friend? takes a back seat and politely makes way for terms like ?colleague?, ?associate?, ?business partner?, and ?client?, especially in the corporate world.

The situation is bleaker for the ones who do succeed. Apart from responsibility and power, executives and top honchos in business are also given a position that keeps them away from most -- a very revered but isolated position indeed. In the cold harsh world of number crunching, boardroom politics and competition, is there any room left for friendship to flourish?

Indeed there is, say several top media executives, whom Exec Lifestyle approached on the eve of Friendship Day, which falls on 2 August.

To the grand old man of Indian media, Madison World chairman Sam Balsara, friends are critical for survival. He simply can?t do without them. ?I value and cherish my friends from outside and within the industry alike, and can?t imagine my life without them,? says Balsara, who enjoys friends amongst a wide circle. ?Some of them started off as colleagues, clients or business associates and eventually got closer over the years. From casual professional greetings, you start exchanging meaningful conversations, which may trail off from work. There is no reason why I can?t call them my friends. They are very important to me.?

When asked about how he maintains friendship with his competitors Balsara calmly replies, ?We are all mature. We may compete in the marketplace but we know how to keep our personal and professional ties separate. Competition never gets in the way.?

Madison Media and Madison OOH CEO Vikram Sakhuja opines, ?There is no reason why executives from the same industry can?t be friends. In fact, it is quite easy to get along with each other due to common interests and the comfort zone of understanding each other. One keeps bumping into each other at industry events and it's strange if you can?t find a single one with whom you can strike a chord. Now, one can?t compare this friendship with childhood friends; it's a different ball game altogether.?

Without naming names, Sakhuja says that while he has plenty of friends in the industry especially old colleagues, times of conflict have tested and strengthened his bond with them.

Viacom18 executive vice president Anuj Poddar couldn?t agree more. ?You spend more than nine hours a day in office, and sometimes even more. Therefore naturally your colleagues are the ones you are closest to. I am friends with not just my immediate colleagues, but colleagues of yesteryears as well. Just because you stop working together doesn?t mean you stop being friends,? he adds with a chuckle.

?Take my friend Ashish Patil from Yash Raj Films for example. We have never worked together directly, but over the last ten years of knowing him, I have grown to like him as a person and we became good friends. Very recently, he conducted a training session for my creative team. He is just someone I can count on without hesitating,? shares Poddar, adding that he would do the same for Patil.

Echoing the same sentiments, Patil, who is Y-Films, brand partnerships and talent management vice president, says, ?Anuj is someone I wouldn?t say no to provided I am free and the topic is of my interest, and he understands that well.? Revealing that he isn?t much of a social person, Patil says, ?Over the years, I have made many associations. I have come to learn a lot from them and even approach them for help and vice versa, and this association goes beyond petty profit and loss.?

Another great example of how business partners can also be good friends are Fazila Allana and Kamna Nirula Menezes - the duo who founded and run Sol Production Pvt. Ltd. From boss and subordinate, to business partners and now family, their relationship has molded into many shapes over the years. However, none of it has affected their friendship.

?Kamna and I met over fifteen years ago, when I was working in UTV. I used to be her boss at that time and now she is part of the family,? reminisces Sol Production Pvt. Ltd co-founder and managing director Fazila Allana. When queried as to whether being business partners had ever come in the way of their friendship, Allana says, ?So far (touch wood), we have never faced any challenges maintaining our friendship. It?s because our value systems have been compatible to begin with. We trust each other?s judgment. When it comes to business, difference in point of view is actually a good thing, especially amongst those who respect each other?s opinion. Be it friendship or partnership in business, respecting the other?s opinion and understanding them is crucial.?

Exec Lifestyle further implored how Allana spends time with her long time friend Kamna; whether they go to spa together or shopping? To which, she says, ?We spend a lot of time together. I am more of the spa person than Kamna. We mostly go watch movies together, and dinners... the usual things friends do.?

In this fickle era of backstabbing, dishonesty, cut-throat competition and money mindedness, all is perhaps not lost in the wake of some true blue friendships that have weathered numerous storms of time.